This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
So it was a trip down on the Sunday via BA to the Hilton and into a deluxe room
which I have never seen the option for before but no matter, it was upgraded to an executive room in the "new" part of the building. Now we've been using the Hilton at, Gatwick for over 10 years and it was new then 
wonder when it just becomes the extension. 
The BA flight was good (would have better if it had been a little red flight - hint hint) but was a little early into Gatwick £80 compared to £180 for the later flight so the Grand Prix was the answer courtesy of sky go and a reasonable Internet connection for once. Good race for once.
The morning consisted of the usual Hilton breakfast but also included a text from tripit pro informing a 1 hour delay. Hey ho, an extra hour in the clubhouse. Strange nothing from VS
Using the new route from Hilton to checkin ( you now have to go in the lift, up then across the concourse and into departures ) there was no fun of trying to control your trolley down or up the spiral ramp. As an aside they are still continuing to spend vast amounts of money in Gatwick and its changed very much for the better.
Check in was very good, taken straight away, even after standing in a daze missing the first call and it was upstairs to the "premium" security channel. It's very good and if you remember to go right after your through, you end up at the entrance to the clubhouse. If you are still half asleep like me and go left, you are funnelled downstairs into the new vast duty free shop which has been built to the same standard plans as most other duty free shops in that its difficult to get straight out of it without zigging and zagging through the masses of offers designed to take your last British pounds off you.
Into the clubhouse which was busy but still had space to be presented with a new menu already reported. I think this is the first time the menu has changed in Gatwick in years and now has much more than the breakfast and bacon or sausage rolls on it
The burgers were flying out the kitchen !All too soon it was time to board and a slow walk to gate 20 something revealed most had already boarded eleven though the flight hadn't been called in the clubhouse yet. Think it was around the 400 mark on board so pretty full.
Settled in a champagne offered within seconds
upper had 3 seats empty so wasn't a full house for the first time in many flights. We had 2 FSMs on this flight and at first I thought it want going to be a so so flight but how wrong I was. The FSM looking after upper was amazing. Everything was "super, wonderful, smashing, amazing, cool or 1st class" I don't know what she had before hand but they want to feed that to everyone
Nothing was too much bother. Food orders were taken, hints given to what was good and what was great and what was not to miss, oh and by the way, can we top up your glass
I think she was trying to empty the bar ( but in a good way )
The service was constant, good and harked back to the halcyon days of what VS used to provide. Both the FSMs came across (along with the other staff) as people who really enjoyed their doing their job, and doing it very well
Food was great, although in slightly small protons, but more was available if you wished. It's been a long time since I was offered another starter, but maybe they are also a little embarrassed about the size of the salmon starter.
The beef was some of the nicest beef tasted on a plane and after a recommendation of the sticky toffee pudding, the cheese had to be passed on, although an extremely large glass of port was offered
Gate to gate IFE was on offering the announcements were made regarding use of own or supplied earphones. The films offered this month were ok but not all that exciting and all too soon it was time, after a little snooze, for afternoon tea.
The trolley was again brought out and I think seems to work very well in the Gatwick cabin
and masses of sandwiches, cakes and mini burgers were offered which were all very well received. The burgers in particular went down very well. After a very smooth flight, the only turbulance being when the drinks were poured for the meal - how does that happen every time
- and we were soon descending into a very warm Orlando airport. Off the plane pretty quick into an empty immigration hall and seen very quickly by a polite officer. Just arrived at the carousel as my bags was coming off and I think I was first through customs and onto the train.
A very swift car pickup courtesy of Dollar Express and after landing around 2 mins past 5 was checked into Disneys Saratoga Springs by 6pm. Not too shabby
Only small issue in the whole process being miles & points not posted due to upgrading economy fare with miles and the claim missing miles button saying I want on the flight. Let me say, my stomach confirms I was
An email will be sent to HQ praising the staff but repeating what many many others have said, a great FSM (s) make for a great experience.
Well done Virgin
Oh, and there was no delay
Thanks
David
